Patents by Inventor Bruce H. King
Bruce H. King has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9607889Abstract: Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King
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Patent number: 9192054Abstract: A substantially planar assembly for depositing material. The assembly comprises plates which, when assembled, define at least one aerosol channel, a sheath gas plenum, and a nozzle. These components are preferably anisotropic, and preferably rectangular. The aerosol channel may be divided further to improve uniformity of aerosol flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Bruce H. King, Steven Barry Woolfson, David H. Ramahi
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Patent number: 9114409Abstract: A deposition apparatus comprising one or more atomizers structurally integrated with a deposition head. The entire head may be replaceable, and prefilled with material. The deposition head may comprise multiple nozzles. Also an apparatus for three dimensional materials deposition comprising a tiltable deposition head attached to a non-tiltable atomizer. Also methods and apparatuses for depositing different materials either simultaneously or sequentially.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Bruce H. King, Gregory James Marquez, Michael J. Renn
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Publication number: 20140342082Abstract: Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Jason A. Paulsen
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Patent number: 8887658Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing aerosolized material, wherein an aerosol flow is surrounded and focused by more than one consecutive sheath gas flows. The combined sheath and aerosol flows may consecutively flow through more than one capillary, thereby narrowing the flow further. Linewidths of less than one micron may be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Marcelino Essien, Bruce H. King
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Patent number: 8796146Abstract: Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Jason A. Paulsen
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Patent number: 8640975Abstract: A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventor: Bruce H. King
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Publication number: 20130260056Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from the micron range up to a fraction of a millimeter, and may be used to deposit features on substrates with damage thresholds near 100° C. Deposition and subsequent processing may be carried out under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for a vacuum atmosphere. The process may also be performed in an inert gas environment. Deposition of and subsequent laser post processing produces linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The apparatus nozzle has a large working distance—the orifice to substrate distance may be several millimeters—and direct write onto non-planar surfaces is possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Marcelino Essien, Gregory J. Marquez, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Jyh-Cherng Sheu
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Patent number: 8455051Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from the micron range up to a fraction of a millimeter, and may be used to deposit features on substrates with damage thresholds near 100° C. Deposition and subsequent processing may be carried out under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for a vacuum atmosphere. The process may also be performed in an inert gas environment. Deposition of and subsequent laser post processing produces linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The apparatus nozzle has a large working distance—the orifice to substrate distance may be several millimeters—and direct write onto non-planar surfaces is possible.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Marcelino Essien, Gregory J. Marquez, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Jyh-Cherng Sheu
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Patent number: 8272579Abstract: A deposition apparatus comprising one or more atomizers structurally integrated with a deposition head. The entire head may be replaceable, and prefilled with material. The deposition head may comprise multiple nozzles. Also an apparatus for three dimensional materials deposition comprising a tiltable deposition head attached to a non-tiltable atomizer. Also methods and apparatuses for depositing different materials either simultaneously or sequentially.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Bruce H. King, Gregory J. Marquez, Michael J. Renn
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Publication number: 20120231576Abstract: Method and apparatus for depositing multiple lines on an object, specifically contact and busbar metallization lines on a solar cell. The contact lines are preferably less than 100 microns wide, and all contact lines are preferably deposited in a single pass of the deposition head. There can be multiple rows of nozzles on the deposition head. Multiple materials can be deposited, on top of one another, forming layered structures on the object. Each layer can be less than five microns thick. Alignment of such layers is preferably accomplished without having to deposit oversized alignment features. Multiple atomizers can be used to deposit the multiple materials. The busbar apparatus preferably has multiple nozzles, each of which is sufficiently wide to deposit a busbar in a single pass.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: OPTOMEC, INC.Inventors: Bruce H. King, David H. Ramahi
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Patent number: 8132744Abstract: A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Bruce H. King, Michael J. Renn, Jason A. Paulsen
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Patent number: 8110247Abstract: A method of depositing various materials onto heat-sensitive targets, particularly oxygen-sensitive materials. Heat-sensitive targets are generally defined as targets that have thermal damage thresholds that are lower than the temperature required to process a deposited material. The invention uses precursor solutions and/or particle or colloidal suspensions, along with optional pre-deposition treatment and/or post-deposition treatment to lower the laser power required to drive the deposit to its final state. The present invention uses Maskless Mesoscale Material Deposition (M3D™) to perform direct deposition of material onto the target in a precise, highly localized fashion. Features with linewidths as small as 4 microns may be deposited, with little or no material waste. A laser is preferably used to heat the material to process it to obtain the desired state, for example by chemical decomposition, sintering, polymerization, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Optomec Design CompanyInventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Marcelino Essien, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Jyh-Cherng Sheu
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Patent number: 7987813Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from the micron range up to a fraction of a millimeter, and may be used to deposit features on substrates with damage thresholds near 100° C. Deposition and subsequent processing may be carried out under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for a vacuum atmosphere. The process may also be performed in an inert gas environment. Deposition of and subsequent laser post processing produces linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The apparatus nozzle has a large working distance—the orifice to substrate distance may be several millimeters—and direct write onto non-planar surfaces is possible.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Optomec, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Marcelino Essien, Gregory J. Marquez, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Jyh-Cherng Sheu
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Publication number: 20110129615Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from the micron range up to a fraction of a millimeter, and may be used to deposit features on substrates with damage thresholds near 100° C. Deposition and subsequent processing may be carried out under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for a vacuum atmosphere. The process may also be performed in an inert gas environment. Deposition of and subsequent laser post processing produces linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The apparatus nozzle has a large working distance—the orifice to substrate distance may be several millimeters—and direct write onto non-planar surfaces is possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: OPTOMEC, INC. FKA OPTOMEC DESIGN COMPANYInventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Marcelino Essien, Gregory J. Marquez, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Jyh-Cherng Sheu
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Patent number: 7938079Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials using an extended nozzle. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from a few microns to a fraction of a millimeter, and can be used to deposit features on targets with damage thresholds near 100° C. or less. Deposition and subsequent processing may be performed under ambient conditions and produce linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The extended nozzle reduces particle overspray and has a large working distance; that is, the orifice to target distance may be several millimeters or more, enabling direct write onto non-planar surfaces. The nozzle allows for deposition of features with linewidths that are approximately as small as one-twentieth the size of the nozzle orifice diameter, and is preferably interchangeable, enabling rapid variance of deposited linewidth.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Optomec Design CompanyInventors: Bruce H. King, Michael J. Renn, Marcelino Essien, Gregory J. Marquez, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Jyh-Cherng Sheu
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Patent number: 7938341Abstract: A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Optomec Design CompanyInventors: Bruce H. King, Michael J. Renn, Jason A. Paulsen
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Publication number: 20100255209Abstract: Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: OPTOMEC, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Jason A. Paulsen
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Publication number: 20100192847Abstract: A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: OPTOMEC, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Renn, Bruce H. King, Jason A. Paulsen
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Publication number: 20100173088Abstract: A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: OPTOMEC, INC.Inventor: Bruce H. King